Mayor Leo Rafael Cueva assued on Tuesday, Sept. 23, that the historic Himogaan Bridge in Sagay City, Negros Occidental, will be preserved and restored, not demolished.
“The people of Sagay can be assured that the Himogaan Bridge will stand stronger and safer, while still retaining its historic significance, continuing to serve not just as infrastructure, but as a treasured part of our heritage,” he said in a Facebook post.
The Himoga-an steel bridge was built in 1914 by American engineers during the American occupation of the Philippines. It connects barangays Fabrica and Paraiso in Sagay City.
“In coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Region VI, it has been clarified that the structural truss members of the bridge will be integrated with the new abutment, pier, and carriageway as part of the bridge component,” Cueva said.
This means that the historic features of the bridge will continue to form part of its structure even after the renovation, Cueva said.
The DPWH has also recommended that the city government salvage certain original pieces of the bridge for historical preservation and posterity, further ensuring that its legacy will live on for future generations of Sagaynons, he said,
“We recognize the Himogaan Bridge as a vital cultural and historical landmark that connects our communities and symbolizes our shared past. Its preservation, while addressing the safety and functional needs of the present is a priority of this administration, “ Cueva said.*